title: Quality measures for colonoscopy: a critical evaluation.
abstract: In a recent article in The New York Times, "The $2.7 Trillion Medical Bill,"(1) colonoscopy was singled out for its cost. In their response, the leading gastroenterology professional societies highlighted colonoscopy's effectiveness and cost-effectiveness for the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). Affirming colonoscopy's central role in CRC prevention, both as a frontline test and as the final common pathway for other CRC screening modalities, requires strategies to measure and improve colonoscopy quality, particularly by controlling operator-dependent factors. Although colonoscopy is a powerful CRC screening test,(2-6) several recent studies have highlighted decreased protection, mainly against right-sided CRC,(5,7-16) an observation that has been linked to performance quality.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Medicine, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana.
authors.forename: Nabil F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Fayad
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Medicine, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana. Electronic address: ckahi2@iupui.edu.
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kahi
mesh_terms: D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control
keywords: Colonoscopy; Colorectal Neoplasms; Quality